Fine Arts Spectacular Showcases Riverside County Student Artists
Nearly 200 middle and high school students submitted original art exhibiting the theme, “What Matters”; Exhibit featuring submissions runs May 13-19 at College of the Desert & via virtual exhibition.
RIVERSIDE – Vivid colors, detailed ink illustrations, striking photographs, and creative mixed media compositions are just a few of the mediums used by students from 24 schools representing 12 Riverside County school districts as part of the 2nd Annual Fine Arts Spectacular organized by the Riverside County Office of Education.
All selected students (finalists and winners) will have their artwork displayed virtually on the Fine Arts Spectacular website and receive a Certificate of Recognition from the Riverside County Office of Education. High school award winners will participate in a professional exhibition of their works, and a ceremony highlighting the high school award winners will be held on May 12 at 5 p.m. at the Walter N. Marks Center for the Arts on the campus of College of the Desert (43500 Monterey Avenue, Palm Desert, CA).
“For students in Riverside County, art does more than imitate real life, it elevates life. The Fine Arts Spectacular may be the first time that many of our students have been formally recognized for their creative abilities or seen their work exhibited on the walls of an art gallery,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “Thank you to the judges, sponsors, and partners like the College of the Desert who share our interest in elevating student voices through the Fine Arts Spectacular.”
The theme, “What Matters” prompted students to visually communicate what matters to them—locally, globally, personally, societally, socially, or politically. Students’ two- and three-dimensional works were awarded in each age division (6-8 and 9-12) in the following categories:
- Best Use of Black and White
- Director’s Favorite
- Expressive Use of Color
- Innovative Interpretation of the Theme
- Meaningful Use of Materials
- Originality
- Quality Craftsmanship
- Judge's Favorite
“What began with the Art Connects virtual art exhibition immediately after the school shutdown in March 2020, has grown into the Fine Arts Spectacular,” said Louisa Higgins, Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Administrator at the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE). “By asking students ‘What Matters’ to them, we are inviting them to share a glimpse of the world they see today, and their dreams for how to shape the direction it takes as artistic leaders of the next generation.”
Fine Arts Spectacular By The Numbers:
- 170 submissions
- 90 finalists
- 34 award winners
- 18 high school artworks to appear at the Walter N. Marks Center for the Arts on the campus of College of the Desert from May 13 to May 19
- 7 prize categories
Along with the RCOE VAPA Team, the exhibition was coordinated by Emily Culhan, Arts Now Project Lead, Palm Springs Unified School District, and Irene Rodriguez, Executive Director, Cabot’s Pueblo Museum. Sponsors included MoxieBox Art, and College of the Desert.
Works were judged by a diverse panel of practicing artists and educators including:
- Steven Biller, Desert X, Founder and Board Member
- Tysen Knight, Pop Urban Artist
- Maricruz Osorio, POCAlsoKnow, Founding Member
- Karen Riley, S.C.R.A.P. Gallery, Founder and Executive Director
MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION HONOREES
Best Use of Black and White
Keiden Garrido – Riverside Virtual School Middle School, Riverside USD
Layla Gillingham - David Brown Middle School, Lake Elsinore USD
Director's Favorite
Rosalinda Aparicio - Vista Heights Middle School, Moreno Valley USD
Expressive Use of Color
Derek Perfilio - Norco Intermediate School, Corona-Norco USD
Ella Haigh - El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco USD
Innovative Interpretation of the Theme
Juliana Rose - El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco USD
Meaningful Use of Materials
Malachi Elam - Vista Heights Middle School, Moreno Valley USD
Sofia Orozco-Martinez - El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco USD
Originality
Camila Anaya - Vista Heights Middle School, Moreno Valley USD
Macie Brenneman - El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco USD
Quality Craftsmanship
Mia Tustison - El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco USD
Sophie Montoya - El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco USD
Judge's Favorite
Brooke Gondal - Landmark Middle School, Moreno Valley USD
Crystal Broaddus - Landmark Middle School, Moreno Valley USD
Gracie Doose - El Cerrito Middle School, Corona-Norco USD
Janneth Hernandez – Riverside Virtual School Middle School, Riverside USD
HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION HONOREES
Best Use of Black and White
Alexa Duque - Palm Springs High School, Palm Springs USD
Nicholas Huxoll - Chaparral High School, Temecula Valley USD
Director's Favorite
Jacqueline Dominguez - Tahquitz High School, Hemet USD
Orion Mena - Hemet High School, Hemet USD
Expressive Use of Color
Melany Sanchez - San Jacinto High School, San Jacinto USD
Trinity Scholer - Banning High School, Banning USD
Innovative Interpretation of the Theme
Chelsea Ross - Chaparral High School, Temecula Valley USD
Savannah Carillo - Tahquitz High School, Hemet USD
Meaningful Use of Materials
Angelica Casas - Norte Vista High School, Alvord USD
Sarah Garibay - Desert Hot Springs High School, Palm Springs USD
Quality Craftsmanship
Kaylee Wheeler - Cathedral City High School, Palm Springs USD
Kimberly Torres - Cathedral City High School, Palm Springs USD
Originality
Jasmine Lopez - Desert Hot Springs High School, Palm Springs USD
Salma Ramirez - Tahquitz High School, Hemet USD
Judge's Favorite
Jayden Shows - Hemet High School, Hemet USD
Lunna Mora - Norte Vista High School, Alvord USD
Jazmine Bojorquez - Palm Springs High School, Palm Springs USD
Mia Martinez - Rancho Mirage High School, Palm Springs USD